Badminton betting is constantly increasing in popularity. In this guide, we will list the best UK bookies offering badminton as an option, as well as strategies that can improve your chances of success when betting on badminton.
- 1 Best Bookies We Recommend for Badminton Betting
- 2 Badminton Betting – What Are the Rules?
- 3 Popular Badminton Tournaments to Bet on
- 4 What Are the Most Popular Badminton Betting Markets?
- 5 Badminton Betting Promotions
- 6 Badminton Betting Strategy
- 7 Badminton– A Brief History
- 8 More Articles
- 9 ThePuntersPage Final Say
- 10 Badminton Betting FAQs
Best Bookies We Recommend for Badminton Betting
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18+. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
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18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 or more on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £30 in Free Football Bets. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit card / Apple Pay payments only. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Bet £5 get £20
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18+ New UK+ ROI Customers only. Deposit & Bet min £5 as first bet at minimum odds 1/2 to qualify for 1x £20 Free Bet. Certain deposit methods and bet types excluded. Free bet valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
Badminton Betting – What Are the Rules?
Badminton is a frenetic racket sport that can be played either in singles or doubles format. The aim of the game is to get the shuttlecock over the net, and land it in the opponent’s court. A competitive badminton court is rectangular, with dimensions of 13.4 metres in length and 6.1 metres in width.
Players must reach 21 points to win a set, the matches themselves following a best-of-three structure. In terms of scoring, the rally-point system means that whoever wins the rally will win the point, irrespective of who is serving. If a game is tied at 20-20, then a game will be settled if a player or team wins by two clear points. However, unlike other sports, such as tennis, if a game gets to 29-29, then whichever player or team gains the subsequent point will be proclaimed the winner.
Interest in badminton betting reaches feverish point during the Olympics, although as you will see below, there is a veritable phalanx of international tournaments throughout the year, with the Badminton World Federation (BWF) the official governing body of the sport.
Japan, China and South Korea have traditionally been powerhouses in badminton, having churned out a wealth of talent throughout the years and enjoying a mass following as a result.
There are also pockets of Europe, including Denmark and Spain, where badminton has flourished and attracts attention. Badminton is also popular in the United Kingdom, and the country has tended to produce strong pairings for mixed doubles.
Popular Badminton Tournaments to Bet on
While it perhaps doesn’t enjoy as much TV coverage as other sports, badminton is steadily making an impression. Although there aren’t any domestic leagues to speak of, there are several well-established major tournaments. Consequently, you'll find badminton betting sites well-stocked with varied options for bettors.
Below are the most popular badminton betting tournaments you can wager on.
Thomas Cup
While the Second World War delayed the inauguration of the Thomas Cup until 1948/49, the event was supposed to be badminton’s own version of tennis’ Davis Cup.
Initially, it was held every three years before the tournament was moved to be staged biennially, and it takes place in May. Also known as the World Men’s Team Championships, nations are split into four zones – Pan American, Asian (East and West), Australian and European. The format has changed, as there used to be five singles and four doubles rubbers before it changed to three singles and two doubles ties. As serial winners, Indonesia have been a dominant force.
Uber Cup
Bearing many of the same hallmarks as the Thomas Cup, the Uber Cup is the female equivalent. After being launched in 1956-57, the Uber Cup was a best-of-seven matches contest, with three singles and four doubles rubbers, and in the same way as their male counterparts, the format was reduced to three singles and two doubles ties.
Teams are selected for the Uber Cup finals, which take place in May based on their rankings, and China have had a stranglehold on the competition.
Sudirman Cup
One of the most prestigious team tournaments in badminton, the Sudirman Cup, which is named after former Indonesian badminton star Dick Sudirman, is staged in May every two years.
While there are a slew of individual tournaments, this mixed team holds a special place in the hearts of fans. Teams are divided into four groups, with 12 teams in the elite group (Group 1). Only teams in Group 1 can win the trophy, while the other groups fight for promotion.
Badminton at the Olympics
Since being inducted as an official sport at the Barcelona Games in 1992, badminton has been an ever-present feature at the Summer Olympics ever since.
There are five events comprising the men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles, and the doubles, and mixed doubles. Each is a single-elimination tournament, and the top eight players or pairs are seeded.
Badminton World Championships
Sanctioned by the BWF, the World Championships has been held every two years since 1985, although it won’t be run in 2021 as it coincides with the Summer Olympics.
Like other badminton tournaments, the competition is split into five disciplines – men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Countries around the world are afforded the opportunity to host the World Championships.
What Are the Most Popular Badminton Betting Markets?
Badminton betting comes in various guises, and as mentioned, they bear similar hallmarks to many of the most common tennis betting markets. Let’s have a closer look at some of the most popular badminton betting markets around.
Match Winner
This is a rather straightforward market to play. All that is required is selecting which player or team will prevail. This type of bet is available for all tournaments.
Over/Under Markets
Here, you can bet on the total games over/under a variable set by the bookie themselves. Usually, the betting line will be set at over/under 72.5 to 78.5 total points for an entire match. Ultimately, you could stake under 72.5 points if you think a player will win easily in straight sets. Alternatively, you could set the amount of games higher if you think both players are evenly matched.
Correct Score
As badminton is a best-of-three-sets affair, there are only two possible outcomes with this type of bet: 2-0 or 2-1. There are odds available from most bookmakers for this market, but with badminton being a race to 21, it can be quite tricky.
In-Play Betting
There are a cluster of different markets available for in-play betting, thrusting punters into the heart of the action. Many bookmakers pride themselves on how they approach live betting, and during the course of big tournaments, many will keep bettors up-to-date with snazzy graphics and in-depth statistics.
Badminton Betting Promotions
The best badminton betting sites always seek to entice new bettors, as well as retain the loyalty of existing customers. Below are some of the types of promotions you may encounter.
Accumulator Betting Promotions
Also referred to as ‘accas' or ‘multis', accumulator offers are the bread and butter of more established betting sites. They will usually come in the form of an added percentage of the total winnings. The premise of these types of bets will be to boost your returns, and they will be clearly highlighted on the site's sportsbook, usually with banners or buttons saying ‘Click here to boost your Acca’, or something along those lines. Always read the T&Cs before proceeding.
Bet Boosts
Sometimes known as ‘flash' or ‘enhanced odds‘, which are only available for a limited period of time, bet boosts are offered by a few badminton betting sites to raise prices, resulting in higher payout levels. These kinds of promotions provide above-average odds, and can be enticing to punters.
Free Bets
Free bets generally cover a wide range of promotions and bonuses, including special sign-up offers that allow you to make bets without risking your own money. They chime well with customers who have recently registered to a new betting site.
Badminton Betting Strategy
As is the case with most other team sports, mastering badminton betting relies on a combination of luck and skill. Here are some useful pointers that may boost your bankroll in the long term.
1. Shop Around for the Best Bookmaker
Attention to detail is paramount. Always do your homework, which includes comparing and contrasting bookmakers for odds. The more badminton betting sites you research, the better placed you will be to choose one that will meet your needs.
2. Understand the Game
Badminton is a fast-paced game, but if you can get to grips with the rules and scoring, the smarter your badminton betting predictions will be. Make sure you are clued up for each major tournament, and stick to a game plan.
3. Know When to Cash Out
Some bookmakers will provide an option to cash out a bet. If you are worried your bet will be scuppered, cashing out early will prevent your from losing all of your money while still managing to rake in some profit.
Badminton– A Brief History
Badminton’s roots can be traced back to ancient Greece, China, and India, approximately 2000 years ago when the sport was referred to as ‘battledore' or ‘shuttlecock'. However, the game as we now know it gets its name from Badminton House, which was where the Duke of Beaufort resided in Gloucestershire.
Versions of the game had also been adopted by British Army officers stationed in Pune in the 1860s. By the end of the 19th century, a national badminton body was formed in England, and a list of official rules came into place.
Throughout the 20th century, badminton permeated its influence across Europe, eventually making its debut as an Olympic sport in 1992. The BWF then begun to introduce flagship events from 2007, becoming a sport highly popular with the Asian continent, who have enjoyed unparalleled success on the international stage.
More Articles
ThePuntersPage Final Say
While not as frequently televised as much as other sports, badminton is still available with plenty of bookmakers that have some fantastic badminton betting options. Although picking a bookie that will suit you can be tricky, we have ensured that only the top badminton betting sites have been included in our rankings above.
If this article has piqued your curiosity further, why not check out the bookies we have recommended and see what all the fuss is about for yourself?
Badminton Betting FAQs
There are several excellent badminton betting sites, but we would single out Betfair as being the best.
You will be able to watch badminton at any betting site that has a live stream. Otherwise, during major events such as the Olympics, you will be able to watch badminton on freeview channels.
Aside from the Olympics, the World Championships, Thomas Cup, and Uber Cup usually attracts a lot of interest from bettors.
As a general rule, you should look to steer clear of any betting sites that are unregulated or unlicensed. You should always avoid bookies that have limited payment options, inept customer support, and anything else that will compromise your betting experience.